Display device, display controlling method, and computer program

ABSTRACT

A display device, method, computer-readable storage medium and user interface, each of which detects contact to or proximity of an object with respect to a generated image, and responsive to detection of contact to or proximity of the object the generated image, disables any operational functions associated with a first portion of the generated image. Additionally, operation associated with a second portion of the generated image is allowed responsive to the detection of contact to or proximity of the object to the generated image, where the second portion of the generated image is different from the first portion of the generated image. An indication corresponding to the second portion of the generated image for which operation is enabled may be displayed on the generated image.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/244,458, filed Aug. 23, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/296,506, filed Jun. 5, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No.9,430,070), and claims the benefit of Japanese Priority PatentApplication JP 2013-133583, filed Jun. 26, 2013, the entire contents ofeach of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a display device, a displaycontrolling method, and a computer program.

In recent years, as represented by a high performance mobile phonecalled smartphone, a thin plate apparatus, called tablet terminal,having a touch panel and a display device, a game console, or the like,an apparatus provided with a display which has excellent function but isnot so large in screen size is commonly used. Such an apparatus isconfigured to receive an operation by allowing the user to touch ascreen with his/her finger.

The technique for using such an apparatus as a controller for remotelycontrolling another apparatus has been proposed, and it is actuallybeing used (for example, JP 2012-257074A or other similar techniques).In order for an apparatus such as smartphone to remotely control anotherapparatus, it is common to display a setting screen for the remotecontrol and to allow the user to operate the screen.

SUMMARY

As the case of a display device having a large size screen such as adisplay used in a personal computer (PC), if a setting screen isdisplayed on an apparatus having a relatively small screen such as asmartphone, area efficiency of a screen is greatly decreased. In otherwords, if the movable space of an operation portion is made large forthe user to operate by being in contact with a screen using his/herfinger or the like, the space for displaying other information isreduced accordingly.

Therefore, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a novel andimproved display device, display controlling method, and computerprogram, capable of displaying without decreasing area efficiency.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda display device including a detector configured to detect contact orproximity of a user a screen, and a display controller configured toperform a display control based on the detection by the detector. Thedetector enables only detection in a predetermined range on the screenwhile detecting contact or proximity to an operation portion displayedon the screen. The display controller explicitly indicates a rangecorresponding to the predetermined range while the detector detectscontact or proximity to the operation portion.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda display controlling method including detecting contact or proximity ofa user to a screen, and performing a display control based on thedetection by the step of detecting. The step of detecting enables onlydetection in a predetermined range on the screen while detecting contactor proximity to an operation portion displayed on the screen. The stepof performing the display control explicitly indicates a rangecorresponding to the predetermined range while detecting contact orproximity to the operation portion in the step of detecting.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda computer program for causing a computer to execute: detecting contactor proximity of a user to a screen, and performing a display controlbased on the detection by the step of detecting. The step of detectingenables only detection in a predetermined range on the screen whiledetecting contact or proximity to an operation portion displayed on thescreen. The step of performing the display control explicitly indicatesa range corresponding to the predetermined range while detecting contactor proximity to the operation portion in the step of detecting.

According to one or more of embodiments of the present disclosure, it ispossible to provide a novel and improved display device, displaycontrolling method, and computer program, capable of displaying withoutdecreasing area efficiency.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure can also include adisplay device comprising: processing circuitry configured to detectcontact to or proximity of an object with respect to a generated image,and responsive to detection of contact to or proximity of the object tothe generated image, disabling any operational functions associated witha first portion of the generated image.

Additionally, one or more embodiments can include a display methodcomprising: detecting, using a processor, contact to or proximity of anobject with respect to a generated image, and disabling, using theprocessor, any operational functions associated with a first portion ofthe generated image responsive to said detecting contact to or proximityof the object to the generated image.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructionsthat, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform amethod comprising: detecting contact to or proximity of an object withrespect to a generated image, and disabling any operational functionsassociated with a first portion of the generated image responsive tosaid detecting contact to or proximity of the object to the generatedimage.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can also comprise a graphical userinterface comprising: circuitry configured to generate an image; detectcontact to or proximity of an object with respect to the generatedimage, and disable any operational functions associated with a firstportion of the generated image responsive to detection of contact to orproximity of the object to the generated image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary functional configurationof a display device 100 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary operation of the displaydevice 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on adisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100;

FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary hardware configurationof the display device 100.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that,in this specification and the appended drawings, structural elementsthat have substantially the same function and structure are denoted withthe same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of thesestructural elements is omitted.

The description will be made in the following order.

<1. Embodiment of the Present Disclosure> [Exemplary FunctionalConfiguration of Display Device] [Exemplary Operation of Display Device][Exemplary Screen Display of Display Device] <2. Exemplary HardwareConfiguration> <3. Summary> 1. Embodiment of the Present Disclosure

[Exemplary Functional Configuration of Display Device]

An exemplary functional configuration of a display device according toan embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with referenceto the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an exemplaryfunctional configuration of a display device 100 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplaryfunctional configuration of the display device 100 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure will now be described.

The display device 100 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure shown in FIG. 1 is configured to receive an operation byallowing the user to be in contact with a screen using his finger or thelike, and an example of the display device 100 includes a smartphone, atablet terminal, and a game console. As shown in FIG. 1, the displaydevice 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure isconfigured to include an operation unit 110, an operation detection unit120, a controller 130, a display unit 140, a storage unit 150, and acommunication unit 160.

The operation unit 110 receives a user's operation on the display device100. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 110 may include atouch panel, which is provided on a surface of the display unit 140 oris integrated with the display unit 140. Furthermore, the operation unit110 may include hard keys or buttons, in addition to a touch panel whichis provided on a surface of the display unit 140 or is integrated withthe display unit 140. The user's operation to be performed on theoperation unit 110 is detected by the operation detection unit 120.

In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the operationunit 110 is assumed to be configured to include a touch panel which isprovided on a surface of the display unit 140 or is integrated with thedisplay unit 140.

The operation detection unit 120 detects the contents of the user'soperation performed on the operation unit 110. As an example, there maybe the case where a user is in contact with the operation unit 110 usinghis/her finger or brings the finger in close proximity to the operationunit 110 at a distance less than a predetermined distance. In this case,the operation detection unit 120 detects coordinates of a position towhich the user's finger is in contact or close proximity, the amount orrate of variation in a position to which the user's finger is in contactor close proximity, the number of points to which the user's finger isin contact or close proximity, or the like. The operation detection unit120, when detecting the contents of the user's operation performed onthe operation unit 110, transmits a result of the detection to thecontroller 130.

The controller 130 controls the display of information including a text,an image, or the like to be displayed on the display unit 140. When thecontroller 130 receives the result obtained by detecting the contents ofthe user's operation performed on the operation unit 110 from theoperation detection unit 120, the controller 130 controls the display ofinformation including a text, an image, or the like to be displayed onthe display unit 140 based on the detection result.

An example of the display control on the display unit 140 by thecontroller 130 is described briefly here, but will be described indetail later. It is assumed that, in a case where a graphic (operationportion) for causing the user to specify a setting value is displayed ona given location of the display unit 140, the operation detection unit120 detects that the user's finger is in contact with the locationrepresenting the graphic. The controller 130 causes the display unit 140to indicate explicitly a range which is capable of being operated in astate where the user is in contact with the graphic depending on thecontact with the location at which the graphic is displayed.

When the operation detection unit 120 detects that the user's finger isin contact with the graphic, and if the user's finger remains in contactwith the graphic, then the operation detection unit 120 detects onlywhether the user's finger is in contact with the graphic, but does notdetect whether the user's finger is in contact with a location otherthan the graphic.

In this way, the operation detection unit 120 and the controller 130make it possible for the display device 100 to cause the display unit140 to display information without decreasing area efficiency when theinformation is displayed by allowing the user to operate using theoperation portion.

The display unit 140 displays information including a text, an image, orthe like. The display of information including a text, an image, or thelike on the display unit 140 is controlled by the controller 130. Anexample of the display unit 140 may include liquid crystal display,organic EL display, or the like. As described above, the display unit140 may include a touch panel provided on a surface of the display unit140 or integrated with the display unit 140.

The storage unit 150 stores various types of information. An example ofinformation stored in the storage unit 150 includes a setting value forthe display device 100, and a document, image and music data to be usedin the display device 100. Information stored in the storage unit 150can be read by the controller 130 and can be displayed on the displayunit 140, as necessary. In addition, the storage unit 150 can storeinformation by the control of the controller 130.

The communication unit 160 is an interface for performing communicationswith other devices. The communication unit 160 can perform thecommunication with other devices under the control of the controller130. As an example, the communication unit 160 can transmit informationstored in the storage unit 150 under the control of the controller 130.

In the present embodiment, the display device 100 is configured to becapable of displaying a setting screen used to perform the remoteoperation for a video conference system including a camera, amicrophone, a loudspeaker or the like, and remotely controlling thevideo conference system by allowing the user to operate the settingscreen. The communication unit 160 transmits settings specified by thesetting screen to the video conference system. The video conferencesystem may change the state of a camera, microphone, loudspeaker, or thelike, based on the settings transmitted from the communication unit 160.

An exemplary functional configuration of the display device 100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been describedwith reference to FIG. 1. Subsequently, an exemplary operation of thedisplay device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosurewill be described.

[Exemplary Operation of Display Device]

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of the displaydevice 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Theflowchart shown in FIG. 2 is an operation example when the operation ona predetermined graphic (operation portion) displayed on the displaydevice 100 is performed. An exemplary operation of the display device100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is describedbelow with reference to FIG. 2.

When the operation detection unit 120 detects contact or proximity ofthe user's finger or the like to a predetermined graphic (operationportion) displayed on the display unit 140 (step S101), the operationdetection unit 120 enables only the operation for a predetermined regioncorresponding to the contact or proximity to the operation portion (stepS102).

Furthermore, when the operation detection unit 120 detects contact orproximity of the user's finger or the like to the predetermined graphic(operation portion) displayed on the display unit 140 in step S101, thecontroller 130 performs a display control that explicitly indicates anoperation range defined by the graphic (operation portion) on thedisplay unit 140 (step S103).

When the processes in steps S102 and S103 are performed by the operationdetection unit 120 and the controller 130, respectively, the operationdetection unit 120 determines whether the user removes his finger or thelike from the predetermined graphic (operation portion) displayed on thedisplay unit 140 (step S104).

If it is determined that the user's finger or the like is not removedfrom the predetermined graphic (operation portion) displayed on thedisplay unit 140 or the user's finger or the like is in close proximityto the predetermined graphic at a distance less than a predetermineddistance, the processes in steps S102 and 103 are repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the user's finger or thelike is not in contact with the predetermined graphic (operationportion) displayed on the display unit 140 or the user's finger or thelike is removed away from the predetermined graphic to a distance morethan a predetermined distance, the operation detection unit 120 enablesthe operation for the entire region of the display unit 140 (step S105).In addition, the controller 130 releases the explicit indication of theoperation range which is defined by the operation portion and displayedon the display unit 140 (step S106).

The display device 100 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure makes it possible for the display unit 140 to displayinformation without decreasing area efficiency when the information isdisplayed by allowing the user to operate using the operation portion.

An operation example of the display device 100 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure has been described. Subsequently,the detailed screen display example of the display device 100 accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure that is configured andoperated as described above will be described.

[Exemplary Screen Display of Display Device]

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100. A display screen D1 is anexample of a screen displayed on the display unit 140. In the following,the description is given on the assumption that the display screen D1 isa setting screen for changing settings of a camera, a microphone, and aloudspeaker that are used in a video conference system.

FIG. 3 illustrates how a handle U1 that is an example of the operationportion is displayed on the display screen D1. The handle U1 is anoperation portion used to change the orientation of a camera used in thevideo conference system and is assumed to be capable of receiving atwo-dimensional operation.

When the finger or the like of the user of the display device 100 isbrought into contact with a location at which the handle U1 isdisplayed, the display device 100 enables only operations for the handleU1 and explicitly indicates an operable range of the handle U1 on thedisplay unit 140.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100. FIG. 4 illustrates anexample of the display screen D1 in a case where the user' finger isbrought into contact with the handle U1, which is subsequent to thestate shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 also illustrates a hand 11 of the user onthe display device 100.

When the operation detection unit 120 detects that the user' finger isbrought into contact with the handle U1, the display screen D1 as shownin FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 140 by the controller 130.The display screen D1 shown in FIG. 4 displays an operable range U2 ofthe handle U1 while the user's finger is being brought into contact withthe handle U1.

Furthermore, FIG. 4 illustrates a state where regions other than theoperable range U2 are displayed on the display unit 140 in such a way asto be darkened. Thus, the operable range U2 and the regions other thanthe operable range U2 are displayed on the display unit 140 indistinction from each other. When the user' finger is brought intocontact with the regions other than the operable range U2 displayed onthe display unit 140, the operation detection unit 120 is configured notto detect the contact with the regions other than the operable range U2as the user's operation.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100. FIG. 5 illustrates anexample of the display screen D1 in a case where the user moves thehandle U1 in the upper right direction while the user's finger is beingbrought into contact with the handle U1, which is subsequent to thestate shown in FIG. 4. The display device 100 can change the orientationof a camera used in the video conference system by allowing the user tooperate the handle U1.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100. FIG. 6 illustrates anexample of the display screen D1 in a case where the user removes thefinger from the handle U1, which is subsequent to the state shown inFIG. 5. In this way, when the user removes the finger from the handleU1, the controller 130 causes the handle U1 to be displayed on thedisplay unit 140 in such a way as to be moved back to its originalposition. When the handle U1 is moved back to its original position, thecontroller 130 may immediately move the handle U1 back to its originalposition or may move the handle U1 back to its original position whiledisplaying its continuous motion.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining an exemplary screen display onthe display unit 140 of the display device 100. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustratean example of the display screen D1 in which the handle U1 is displayedon the display unit 140 in such a way as to be moved back to itsoriginal position, which is subsequent to the state where the userremoves the finger from the handle U1 as shown in FIG. 6.

When the user removes the finger from the handle U1, the controller 130causes the handle U1 to be displayed on the display unit 140 in such away as to be moved back toward its original position, as shown in FIGS.7 and 8. When the handle U1 is displayed on the display unit 140 in sucha way as to be moved back toward its original position, the controller130 changes the display of the operable range U2 of the handle U1 andthe display of the region other than the operable range U2 of the handleU1, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 illustrates how the color of theoperable range U2 of the handle U1 and the region other than theoperable range U2 of the handle U1 is becoming thinner.

As shown in FIG. 8, the controller 130, when it moves the displayposition of the handle U1 back to its original position, completelyerases the display of the operable range U2 of the handle U1. In thisway, the controller 130 completely erases the display of the operablerange U2 of the handle U1 at the time of moving the display position ofthe handle U1 back to its original position. Accordingly, the displaydevice 100 makes it possible for the user to recognize that theoperations can be received for all regions, including the handle U1,which are displayed on the display screen D1.

The display device 100 can control the orientation of a camera used inthe video conference system by allowing the user to be brought intocontact with the handle U1 displayed on the display unit 140 using thefinger and to operate the handle U1. In this case, an image captured bythe camera may be displayed in the operable range U2 of the handle U1.

An example of the display screen in a state where the user is broughtinto contact with the handle U1 capable of the two-dimensional operationusing the finger or the like has been described. However, the displaydevice 100 can also perform a similar display control or operationdetection control to the case of the operation portion for allowing aone-dimensional operation.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100. A display screen D2 is anexample of a screen to be displayed on the display unit 140. In thisexample, the description is given on the assumption that the displayscreen D2 is a setting screen for changing internal settings of thedisplay device 100. In addition, FIG. 9 illustrates how buttons U3 a toU3 f, which are an example of the operation portion, are displayed onthe display screen D2.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100. FIG. 10 illustrates anexample of the display screen D2 in a case where the user's finger isbrought into contact with the button U3 c, which is subsequent to thestate shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 10 also illustrates a hand 11 of the user onthe display device 100.

When the operation detection unit 120 detects that the user's finger isbrought into contact with the button U3 c, the display screen D2 asshown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 140 by the controller130. The display screen D2 shown in FIG. 10 displays an operable rangeU4 of the button U3 c while the user's finger is being brought intocontact with the button U3 c.

Moreover, FIG. 10 illustrates how regions other than the operable rangeU4 are displayed on the display unit 140 in such a way as to bedarkened, as in the case of the display screen D1 shown in FIG. 4. Whenthe finger or the like of the user is brought into contact with regionsother than the operable range U4, the operation detection unit 120 isconfigured not to detect the contact as the user's operation.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100. FIG. 11 illustrates anexample of the display screen D2 in a case where the user moves thebutton U3 c in the upward direction while the user's finger is being incontact with the button U3 c, which is subsequent to the state shown inFIG. 10. When the user operates the button U3 c, the display device 100can change the internal settings accordingly. In addition, the displaydevice 100 can cause the storage unit 150 to store the internal settingsof the display device 100 changed by allowing the user to operate thebutton U3 c.

When the user moves the button U3 c while the user's finger is being incontact with the button U3 c, the controller 130 may cause the displayunit 140 to display information indicating variation in setting valuesin accordance with the movement of the button as shown in FIG. 11. FIG.11 illustrates an example in which a balloon U5 representing thevariation in setting values caused by the movement of the button U3 c isdisplayed on the display screen D2 under the control of the controller130. A numeric character marked in the balloon U5 by the control of thecontroller 130 can be changed depending on the operation of the buttonU3 c by the user.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example in which the balloon U5 is displayed onthe display unit 140 in a case where the user moves the button U3 cwhile the user's finger is being in contact with the button U3 c.Similarly, when the user operates other buttons, a balloon correspondingto each button may be displayed on the display unit 140.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100. FIG. 12 illustrates anexample of the display screen D2 in a case where the user removes thefinger from the button U3 c, which is subsequent to the state shown inFIG. 11. In this way, when the user removes the finger from the buttonU3 c, the controller 130 causes the button U3 c to be displayed on thedisplay unit 140 in such a way as to be moved back to its originalposition. When the button U3 c is moved back to its original position,the controller 130 may immediately move the button U3 c back to itsoriginal position or may move it back to its original position whiledisplaying its continuous motion.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams for explaining an exemplary screen displayon the display unit 140 of the display device 100. FIGS. 13 and 14illustrate an example of the display screen D2 in which the button U3 cis displayed on the display unit 140 in such a way as to be moved backto its original position, which is subsequent to the state where theuser removes the finger from the button U3 c as shown in FIG. 12.

When the user removes the finger from the button U3 c, the controller130 causes the button U3 c to be displayed on the display unit 140 insuch a way as to be moved back toward its original position, as shown inFIGS. 13 and 14. When the button U3 c is displayed on the display unit140 in such a way as to be moved toward its original position, thecontroller 130 changes the display of the operable range U4 of thebutton U3 c and the display of the region other than the operable rangeU4 of the button U3 c, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 illustratesthe operable range U4 of the button U3 c, and illustrates how the colorof regions other than the operable range U4 of the button U3 c isbecoming thinner.

As shown in FIG. 14, the controller 130, when it moves the displayposition of the button U3 c back to its original position, completelyerases the display of the operable range U4 of the button U3 c. In thisway, the controller 130 completely erases the display of the operablerange U4 of the button U3 c at the time of moving the display positionof the button U3 c back to its original position. Accordingly, thedisplay device 100 makes it possible for the user to recognize that theoperations can be received for all regions, including the button U3 c,which are displayed on the display screen D2.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, the operable range U4 of thebutton U3 c is displayed to be movable in the up-down direction, but thepresent disclosure is not limited to these examples. FIG. 15 is adiagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on the display unit140 of the display device 100. FIG. 15 illustrates an operable range U4′of the button U3 c that is displayed on the display screen D2 while theuser's finger is being in contact with the button U3 c. The operablerange U4′ of the button U3 c is displayed to be movable in the lateraldirection, which is different from the operable range U4 of the buttonU3 c shown in FIG. 10 or other drawings.

The display device 100 causes the operable range U4′ to be displayed inthe lateral direction of the screen as shown n FIG. 15. When the user'sfinger is brought into contact with regions other than the operablerange U4′, the operation detection unit 120 may be configured not todetect the contact as the user's operation.

In the examples described above, if the user removes the finger or thelike from the operation portion (for example, the handle U1 or button U3c), the operation portion (the handle U1 or button U3 c) is to be movedback to its original position. However, in a case where an item to beset by the user using an operation portion is specified as an absolutevalue rather than a relative value, if the user removes the finger orthe like from the operation portion to be moved back to its originalposition and then the finger or the like of the user is again broughtinto contact with the operation portion, the display device 100 maychange the position where an operable range of the operation portion isdisplayed.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100. In FIG. 16, the handle U1and the operable range U2 of the handle U1 are displayed on the displayscreen D1, and a state where the user moves the handle U1 to the lowerright side of the operable range U2 is displayed on the display screenD1. In this example, an item to be set by the user using the handle U1is assumed to be specified as an absolute value.

If the user removes the finger from the handle U1 in the state shown inFIG. 16, as described above, the display device 100 moves the handle U1to its original position. If the handle U1 is moved back to its originalposition and then the user's finger is again brought into contact withthe handle U1, the display device 100 causes the operable range U2 to bedisplayed on the display screen D1 based on the value set by the handleU1 in the state shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100. FIG. 17 illustrates anexample of the display screen D1 in a case where the user's finger isbrought into contact with the handle U1, when a value is set by thehandle U1 in the state shown in FIG. 16 and then the display screen isreturned to the state shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 17 also illustrates a hand11 of the user on the display device 100.

When the user's finger is brought into contact with the handle U1, thedisplay device 100 causes the operable range U2 to be displayed on thedisplay screen D1 as shown in FIG. 17 based on the value set by thehandle U1 in the state shown in FIG. 16. In other words, the displaydevice 100 can cause the operable range U2 to be displayed on thedisplay screen D1 while maintaining a positional relationship betweenthe handle U1 and the operable range U2 as shown in FIG. 16, rather thancausing the operable range U2 to be displayed on the display screen D1with the handle U1 as a center.

In this way, the operable range U2 is displayed based on the value setby the handle U1, and thus the display device 100 allows a currentsetting value to be displayed for the user to easily recognize thecurrent setting value.

Even when the operable range defined by the operation portion isone-dimensional, the display device 100 can allow the operable range tobe displayed in accordance with the setting value.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100. The display screen D2 shownin FIG. 18 displays the buttons U3 a to U3 f and the operable range U4of the button U3 c, and displays a state where the user moves the buttonU3 c to the lower side of the operable range U4. In this example, anitem to be set by the user using the button U3 c is assumed to bespecified as an absolute value.

If the user removes the finger from the button U3 c in the state shownin FIG. 18, as described above, the display device 100 causes the buttonU3 c to be displayed in such a way as to be moved back to its originalposition. If the button U3 c is moved back to its original position andthen the user's finger is again brought into contact with the button U3c, the display device 100 causes the operable range U4 to be displayedon the display screen D2 based on the value set by the button U3 c inthe state shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100. FIG. 19 illustrates anexample of the display screen D2 in a case where the user's finger isbrought into contact with the button U3 c, when a value is set by thebutton U3 c in the state shown in FIG. 18 and then the display screen isreturned to the state shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 19 also illustrates a hand11 of the user on the display device 100.

When the user's finger is brought into contact with the button U3 c, thedisplay device 100 causes the operable range U4 to be displayed on thedisplay screen D2 based on the value set by the button U3 c in the stateshown in FIG. 18, as shown in FIG. 19. In other words, the displaydevice 100 can cause the operable range U4 to be displayed on thedisplay screen D2 while maintaining a positional relationship betweenthe button U3 c and the operable range U4 as shown in FIG. 18, ratherthan causing the operable range U4 to be displayed on the display screenD1 with the button U3 c as a center.

In this way, even when the operable range U4 is one-dimensional, theoperable range U4 is displayed based on the value set by the button U3c, and thus the display device 100 allows a current setting value to bedisplayed for the user to easily recognize the current setting value.

The display device 100 can change the operable range defined by theoperation portion displayed when the user is in contact with theoperation portion in accordance with the position of the operationportion on the display screen.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100. In FIG. 20, the buttons U3 ato U3 f and the operable range U4 of the button U3 c are displayed onthe display screen D2. When the buttons U3 a to U3 f are displayed at aposition near the lower end of the display unit 140 as shown in FIG. 20,the controller 130 may cause the operable range U4 having a shorterlength to be displayed on the display screen D2.

In the example described above, when the finger or the like of the useris brought into contact with the operation portion, regions other thanthe operable range defined by the operation portion are darkened.However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example.

As an example, if the operation portion is used to change the brightnessof an image, the controller 130 may cause regions other than both theoperable range and the image to be darkened. If the operation portion isused to change the brightness of an image, the controller 130 causesregions other than both the operable range and the image to be darkened,and thus the user can change the setting of brightness of the imagewhile viewing the state of brightness of the image.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100. In FIG. 21, the buttons U3 ato U3 f and the operable range U4 of the button U3 c are displayed onthe display screen D2. In addition, the display screen D2 shown in FIG.21 also displays image data U6.

The button U3 c displayed on the display screen D2 shown in FIG. 21 isassumed to be an operation portion used to change the brightness of theimage data U6. In this case, when the finger or the like of the user isbrought into contact with the button U3 c, the controller 130 causesregions other than both the operable range U4 and the image data U6 tobe darkened. When the user performs an operation for dragging the buttonU3 c along the operable range U4 in a state where the finger or the likeof the user is brought into contact with the button U3 c, the controller130 can change the brightness of the image data U6 in accordance withthe user's operation.

In this way, when the operation portion is used to change the brightnessof an image, the controller 130 causes ranges other than both theoperable range of the operation portion and the image to be darkened,and thus display device 100 allows the user to easily recognize contentsof the setting.

If the operation detection unit 120 does not detect that the user'sfinger is brought into contact with the touch panel, the controller 130may cause the display unit 140 to display an operation portion and anoperable range of the operation portion in a state where their size isreduced.

FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100. The display screen D1 is anexample of a screen to be displayed on the display unit 140. FIG. 22illustrates how an operation portion U1′ is displayed on the displayscreen D1. The operation portion U1′ is obtained by reducing the handleU1 that is an example of an operation portion and the operable range U2of the handle U1.

If the operation detection unit 120 detects an event that the user'finger is brought into contact with a location at which the operationportion U1′ is displayed, the controller 130 causes the display unit 140to display the operation portion U1′ with enlarged size. In other words,as shown on the right side of FIG. 22, if the operation detection unit120 detects that the user' finger is brought into contact with thelocation at which the operation portion U1′ is displayed, the controller130 causes the display unit 140 to display the handle U1 and theoperable range U2 of the handle U1 obtained by enlarging the operationportion U1′.

In this way, the display device 100 can present a current setting valueto the user even prior to being contacted with the operation portion U1′by reducing and displaying the handle U1 and the operable range U2 ofthe handle U1.

Even when the operable range of the operation portion isone-dimensional, the controller 130 may cause the display unit todisplay the operation portion and the operable range of the operationportion in a state where their size is reduced. FIG. 23 is a diagram forexplaining an exemplary screen display on the display unit 140 of thedisplay device 100. The display screen D2 is an example of a screen tobe displayed on the display unit 140. FIG. 23 illustrates how anoperation portion U3′ is displayed on the display screen D2. Theoperation portion U3′ is obtained by reducing buttons that are anexample of an operation portion and an operable range of each button.

When the operation detection unit 120 detects an event that the user'sfinger is brought into contact with a location at which the operationportion U3′ is displayed, the controller 130 can cause a button withwhich the user is in contact and an operable range defined by the buttonto be enlarged in the operation portion U3′ and to be displayed on thedisplay unit 140.

If the operation detection unit 120 can detect proximity of the user'sfinger or the like to a touch panel in addition to contact of the user'sfinger or the like with a touch panel, the controller 130 may change thedisplay state of an operation portion or an operable range in both casesof detecting proximity and contact of the finger or the like.

FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100. The display screen D1 is anexample of a screen to be displayed on the display unit 140. FIG. 24illustrates an example of displaying a state where the finger or thelike of the user is in proximity to the operation portion U1′ when thedisplay screen D1 is displayed as shown on the left side of FIG. 22. Ifthe operation detection unit 120 detects that the finger or the like ofthe user is in proximity to the operation portion U1′, as shown in FIG.24, the controller 130 causes the operation portion U1′ to be enlargedand displayed.

In this way, in both cases of detecting the proximity and the contact ofthe finger or the like, the controller 130 changes the display state ofthe operation portion U1′. Accordingly, the display device 100 canpresent the fact that the operation portion U1′ is enlarged when thefinger or the like of the user is brought into contact with theoperation portion U1′ to the user.

If a screen to be displayed on the display device 100 is used to allowthe user to control other device, an operation portion and an operablerange are displayed on the other device, thus the display device 100allows the user to control the other device while viewing the otherdevice without viewing the display device 100.

FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100 and an exemplary screendisplay on a device controlled by the display device 100. FIG. 25illustrates an exemplary display screen in a case where an imagecaptured by a camera is displayed on a device controlled by the displaydevice 100.

As an example, when the operation portion U1 and the operable range U2of the operation portion U1 are displayed on the display unit 140 of thedisplay device 100 by the contact of the finger or the like of the userwith a touch panel, the operation portion U1 and the operable range U2of the operation portion U1 can be displayed on a device controlled bythe display device 100. In this way, the operation portion U1 and theoperable range U2 are displayed on a device controlled by the displaydevice 100, and accordingly, the user can operate the display device 100while viewing a device controlled by the display device 100 withoutviewing the display device 100 in the user's hand.

In the example described above, although the case where the useroperates the operation unit 110 (touch panel) with any one finger of theuser has been illustrated, the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. Even when two or more fingers of the user are in contact withthe operation unit 110 (touch panel), the display device 100 can performa similar detection control and display control.

In the case where one finger of the user is brought into contact withthe operation unit 110 (touch panel) and the case where two or morefingers of the user are brought into contact with the operation unit(touch panel), the display device 100 may perform different controlfunctions in each case, or may perform the same control in both cases.In addition, in a case where one finger of the user is brought intocontact with the operation unit 110 (touch panel) and then the number offingers in contact with the operation unit 110 (touch panel) isincreased, the display device 100 may perform the same or differentcontrol functions before and after increasing the number of fingers ofthe user.

In the following, an example where two fingers of the user are broughtinto contact with the operation unit 110 (touch panel) will bedescribed. FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screendisplay on the display unit 140 of the display device 100. In FIG. 26,the handle U1 and the operable range U2 of the handle U1 are displayedon the display screen D1. FIG. 26 illustrates how the user performs apinch operation using two fingers (operation for using the thumb andindex finger in a pinching or spreading motion) on the handle U1.

In this way, when the user performs the pinch operation on the handle U1displayed on the display screen D1 using two fingers, the display device100 may determine that the user attempts to perform a zoom operation fora camera used in the video conference system. The display device 100transmits a zoom instruction for a camera used in the video conferencesystem from the communication unit 160 in accordance with the pinchoperation on the handle U1 using two fingers.

FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100. In FIG. 27, the buttons U3 ato U3 f that are an example of the operation portion are displayed onthe display screen D2. FIG. 27 illustrates how the user attempts tooperate the button U3 c and the button U3 d by using each correspondingfinger.

In this way, when the user operates the button U3 c and the button U3 ddisplayed on the display screen D2 by using each corresponding finger,the display device 100 controls to receive only the operation on thebuttons U3 c and U3 d while displaying the operable range U4 of thebutton U3 c and the button U3 d.

When the user is in contact with the same operation portion with two ormore fingers, the display device 100 may perform a control function withthe measurement different from the case where only one finger is incontact with the operation portion. As an example, when two or morefingers having the same amount of operation are in contact with theoperation portion, the display device 100 may be configured to changethe setting value with the half amount of the case where only one fingeris in contact with the operation portion.

In the above example, it has been described that, when the user is incontact with an operation portion, the display device 100 causes anoperable range of the operation portion to be displayed and performs acontrol function of disabling the operations other than the operationfor the operation portion. However, even when the user performs a touchoperation on a location at which an operation portion is displayed andthen performs another operation on the locations other than an operablerange while holding the touch, the display device 100 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure may receive the another operationas the operation for the operation portion.

As an example, when the operable range U4 of the button U3 c isdisplayed as shown in the display screen D2, in the above example, thedisplay device 100 allows the user to operate the button U3 c by movingthe finger or the like along the operable range U4 in the state wherethe finger or the like of the user is in contact with the button U3 c.However, the display device 100 may set the entire screen as an operablerange as long as the user remains his finger or the like in contact withthe button U3 c. When the entire screen is set as an operable range, thedisplay device 100 may change the setting value by the movement of thebutton U3 c depending on the distance from the operable range U4.

FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining an exemplary screen display on thedisplay unit 140 of the display device 100. In FIG. 28, the buttons U3 ato U3 c that are an example of an operation portion and the operablerange U4 of the button U3 c are displayed on the display screen D2. FIG.28 illustrates how the user operates the button U3 c using the finger.

FIG. 28 illustrates a state where, after the user places his finger incontact with the button U3, the user moves the finger to the right sideof the screen while the user's finger is in contact with the operationportion 110 (touch panel). In this state, if the user moves the fingerin the up-down direction, that is, the direction along the operablerange U4 of the button U3 c, the display device 100 can display thebutton U3 c in such a way as the button U3 c is moved in accordance withthe movement of the finger.

In this case, the display device 100 allows the amount of movement ofthe user's finger and the amount of movement of the button U3 c to becoincident with each other, but variation in the setting value caused bythe movement of the button U3 c may be set to be larger or smaller ascompared with the case of moving the button U3 c in a position at whichthe operable range U4 is displayed.

As an example, when the user moves the finger to the right side and thenmoves the finger upward or downward, the display device 100 may set thevariation in the setting value caused by the movement of the button U3 cto be larger as compared with the case of moving the button U3 c in aposition at which the operable range U4 is displayed. On the other hand,when the user moves the finger to the left side and then moves thefinger upward or downward, the display device 100 may set the variationin the setting value caused by the movement of the button U3 c to besmaller as compared with the case of moving the button U3 c in aposition at which the operable range U4 is displayed. The display device100 may change the variation in the setting value caused by the movementof the button U3 c with a reverse pattern.

2. Hardware Configuration Example

The operation of the display control device 200 described above can beperformed by using, for example, the hardware configuration of theinformation processing apparatus shown in FIG. 29. That is, operation ofthe display device 100 may be realized by controlling the hardware shownin FIG. 29 using a computer program. Additionally, the mode of thishardware is arbitrary, and may be a personal computer, a mobileinformation terminal such as a mobile phone, a PHS or a PDA, a gamemachine, a contact or non-contact IC chip, a contact or non-contact ICcard, or various types of information appliances. Moreover, the PHS isan abbreviation for Personal Handy-phone System. Also, the PDA is anabbreviation for Personal Digital Assistant.

As shown in FIG. 29, this hardware mainly includes a CPU 902, a ROM 904,a RAM 906, a host bus 908, and a bridge 910. Furthermore, this hardwareincludes an external bus 912, an interface 914, an input unit 916, anoutput unit 918, a storage unit 920, a drive 922, a connection port 924,and a communication unit 926. Moreover, the CPU is an abbreviation forCentral Processing Unit. Also, the ROM is an abbreviation for Read OnlyMemory. Furthermore, the RAM is an abbreviation for Random AccessMemory.

The CPU 902 functions as an arithmetic processing unit or a controlunit, for example, and controls entire operation or a part of theoperation of each structural element based on various programs recordedon the ROM 904, the RAM 906, the storage unit 920, or a removalrecording medium 928. The ROM 904 is means for storing, for example, aprogram to be loaded on the CPU 902 or data or the like used in anarithmetic operation. The RAM 906 temporarily or perpetually stores, forexample, a program to be loaded on the CPU 902 or various parameters orthe like arbitrarily changed in execution of the program.

These structural elements are connected to each other by, for example,the host bus 908 capable of performing high-speed data transmission. Forits part, the host bus 908 is connected through the bridge 910 to theexternal bus 912 whose data transmission speed is relatively low, forexample. Furthermore, the input unit 916 is, for example, a mouse, akeyboard, a touch panel, a button, a switch, or a lever. Also, the inputunit 916 may be a remote control that can transmit a control signal byusing an infrared ray or other radio waves.

The output unit 918 is, for example, a display device such as a CRT, anLCD, a PDP or an ELD, an audio output device such as a speaker orheadphones, a printer, a mobile phone, or a facsimile, that can visuallyor auditorily notify a user of acquired information. Moreover, the CRTis an abbreviation for Cathode Ray Tube. The LCD is an abbreviation forLiquid Crystal Display. The PDP is an abbreviation for Plasma DisplayPanel. Also, the ELD is an abbreviation for Electro-LuminescenceDisplay.

The storage unit 920 is a device for storing various data. The storageunit 920 is, for example, a magnetic storage device such as a hard diskdrive (HDD), a semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device,or a magneto-optical storage device. The HDD is an abbreviation for HardDisk Drive.

The drive 922 is a device that reads information recorded on the removalrecording medium 928 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, amagneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or writes informationin the removal recording medium 928. The removal recording medium 928is, for example, a DVD medium, a Blu-ray medium, an HD-DVD medium,various types of semiconductor storage media, or the like. Of course,the removal recording medium 928 may be, for example, an electronicdevice or an IC card on which a non-contact IC chip is mounted. The ICis an abbreviation for Integrated Circuit.

The connection port 924 is a port such as an USB port, an IEEE1394 port,a SCSI, an RS-232C port, or a port for connecting an externallyconnected device 930 such as an optical audio terminal. The externallyconnected device 930 is, for example, a printer, a mobile music player,a digital camera, a digital video camera, or an IC recorder. Moreover,the USB is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus. Also, the SCSI isan abbreviation for Small Computer System Interface.

The communication unit 926 is a communication device to be connected toa network 932, and is, for example, a communication card for a wired orwireless LAN. Bluetooth (registered trademark), or WUSB, an opticalcommunication router, an ADSL router, or a device for contact ornon-contact communication. The network 932 connected to thecommunication unit 926 is configured from a wire-connected or wirelesslyconnected network, and is the Internet, a home-use LAN, infraredcommunication, visible light communication, broadcasting, or satellitecommunication, for example. Moreover, the LAN is an abbreviation forLocal Area Network. Also, the WUSB is an abbreviation for Wireless USB.Furthermore, the ADSL is an abbreviation for Asymmetric DigitalSubscriber Line.

3. Summary

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure describedabove, the display device 100 that includes the operation detection unit120 configured to detect contact or proximity of a user to a screen, anda controller 130 configured to perform a display control based on thedetection by the operation detection unit 120 is provided. In thedisplay device 100, the operation detection unit 120 enables only adetection in a predetermined range on the screen while detecting contactor proximity to an operation portion displayed on the screen, and thecontroller 130 explicitly indicates a range corresponding to thepredetermined range while the operation detection unit 120 detectscontact or proximity to the operation portion.

The display device 100 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure that includes the configuration described above can improvearea efficiency in a screen operated by the user. In other words, whenthe user is not in contact with a screen, the display device 100 causesonly an operation portion to be displayed. When the user is in contactwith the operation portion or in proximity to the operation portionusing the finger, the display device 100 causes an operable rangedefined by the operation portion to be displayed, thereby increasingarea efficiency in the screen operated by the user.

The respective steps in the processing executed by the variousapparatuses described in the present disclosure do not have to beperformed in chronological order according to the order described as asequence diagram or flowchart. For example, the respective steps in theprocessing executed by the various apparatuses can be carried out in adifferent order to that described in the flowcharts, or can be carriedout in parallel.

In addition, a computer program can be created that makes hardware, suchas a CPU, ROM, and RAM, in the various apparatuses realize functionsequivalent to the parts of the various above-described apparatuses.Still further, a storage medium on which such a computer program isstored can also be provided. Moreover, series of processes can also berealized by hardware by configuring the respective function blocksillustrated in the function block diagrams as hardware.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

For example, when the finger or the like of the user is brought intocontact with the handle U1, the controller 130 causes the display unit140 to display the operable range U2. In this case, the controller 130may cause an image captured by a camera used in a video conferencesystem to be displayed on the operable range U2.

Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.

(1) A display device comprising: processing circuitry configured todetect contact to or proximity of an object with respect to a generatedimage, and responsive to detection of contact to or proximity of theobject to the generated image, disabling any operational functionsassociated with a first portion of the generated image.

(2) The display device according to (1), wherein the generated image isdisplayed on a touch-responsive screen.

(3) The display device according to (1) or (2), wherein the object is auser's finger.

(4) The display device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein theprocessing circuitry is configured to allow operation associated with asecond portion of the generated image responsive to the detection ofcontact to or proximity of the object to the generated image, the secondportion of the generated image being different from the first portion ofthe generated image.

(5) The display device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein theprocessing circuitry is configured to display on the generated image anindication corresponding to the second portion of the generated imagefor which operation is enabled.

(6) The display device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein thesecond portion is a predetermined range around a contact or proximitypoint or points associated with the detection of the contact to orproximity of the object with respect to the generated image.

(7) The display device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein theprocessing circuitry is configured to display on the generated image anindication in a second portion different from the first portion forwhich operational functions are disabled responsive to the detection ofcontact to or proximity of the object to the generated image.

(8) The display device according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein theprocessing circuitry is configured to detect whether contact to orproximity of the object is released, and enable the operationalfunctions associated with the first portion of the generated image.

(9) The display device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein theprocessing circuitry is configured to detect whether contact to orproximity of the object is released, and remove an indication on thegenerated image indicative of a second portion of the generated image,different from the first portion, representative of an operational areaof the generated image.

(10) The display device according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein theprocessing circuitry is configured to responsive to the detection ofcontact to or proximity of the object to the generated image, allowoperation associated with a second portion of the generated image, thesecond portion of the generated image being different from the firstportion of the generated image and including a predetermined operationalportion of the generated image, and enable movement of the predeterminedoperational portion of the generated image from a first position to asecond position within the second portion of the generated image, andresponsive to detecting whether contact to or proximity of the object isreleased, automatically move the predetermined operation portion of thegenerated image from the second position to the first position, andenable the operational functions associated with the first portion ofthe generated image.

(11) The display device according to (10), wherein the first position isan initial position of the predetermined operational portion of thegenerated image.

(12) The display device according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein theprocessor is configured to display a predetermined operational portionof the generated image at a first size, and one of reduce or enlarge thesize of the predetermined operational portion of the generated imagefrom the first size to a second size responsive to the detection ofcontact to or proximity of the object to the generated image, thedetection of contact to or proximity of the object being with respect tothe predetermined operational portion of the generated image at thefirst size.

(13) A display method comprising: detecting, using a processor, contactto or proximity of an object with respect to a generated image, anddisabling, using the processor, any operational functions associatedwith a first portion of the generated image responsive to said detectingcontact to or proximity of the object to the generated image.

(14) The display method according to (13), further comprising allowing,using the processor, operation associated with a second portion of thegenerated image responsive to said detecting contact to or proximity ofthe object to the generated image, wherein the second portion of thegenerated image is different from the first portion of the generatedimage.

(15) The display method according to (13) or (14), further comprisingdisplaying, using the processor, an indication in a second portion,different from the first portion for which operational functions aredisabled, responsive to said detecting contact to or proximity of theobject to the generated image.

(16) A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storingcomputer-readable instructions that, when executed by a computer, causethe computer to perform a method comprising: detecting contact to orproximity of an object with respect to a generated image, and disablingany operational functions associated with a first portion of thegenerated image responsive to said detecting contact to or proximity ofthe object to the generated image.

(17) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to(16), further comprising: allowing operation associated with a secondportion of the generated image responsive to said detecting contact toor proximity of the object to the generated image, the second portion ofthe generated image being different from the first portion of thegenerated image; and displaying an indication in the second portion,which is different from the first portion for which operationalfunctions are disabled, responsive to said detecting contact to orproximity of the object to the generated image.

(18) A graphical user interface comprising: circuitry configured togenerate an image; detect contact to or proximity of an object withrespect to the generated image, and disable any operational functionsassociated with a first portion of the generated image responsive todetection of contact to or proximity of the object to the generatedimage.

(19) The graphical user interface according to (18), wherein thecircuitry is configured to display on the generated image an indicationcorresponding to a second portion of the generated image for whichoperation is enabled responsive to the detection of contact to orproximity of the object to the generated image, and wherein the secondportion of the generated image is different from the first portion ofthe generated image.

(20) The graphical user interface according to (19), wherein thecircuitry is configured to enable the operational functions associatedwith the first portion of the generated image, and display the generatedimage responsive to release of contact to or proximity of the objectwith respect to the generated image.

(21) A display device including:

a detector configured to detect contact or proximity of a user to ascreen; and

a display controller configured to perform a display control based onthe detection by the detector,

wherein the detector enables only detection in a predetermined range onthe screen while detecting contact or proximity to an operation portiondisplayed on the screen, and

wherein the display controller explicitly indicates a rangecorresponding to the predetermined range while the detector detectscontact or proximity to the operation portion.

(22) The display device according to (21), wherein the displaycontroller causes the range corresponding to the predetermined range anda range other than the range corresponding to the predetermined range tobe displayed in distinction from each other while the detector detectscontact or proximity to the operation portion.

(23) The display device according to (21) or (22), wherein the displaycontroller reduces the operation portion and causes the reducedoperation portion to be displayed on the screen while contact orproximity to the operation portion displayed on the screen is notdetected.

(24) The display device according to (23), wherein the displaycontroller, when the detector detects proximity to the operationportion, enlarges the operation portion displayed in reduced size andcauses the enlarged operation portion to be displayed on the screen.

(25) The display device according to any one of (21) to (24), wherein,when the detector does not detect contact or proximity to the operationportion, the display controller performs a display control for causingthe operation portion to be moved back to a location in a case wherecontact or proximity to the operation portion displayed on the screen isnot detected.

(26) The display device according to any one of (21) to (25), whereinthe display controller changes a position of the predetermined range inaccordance with a value specified by the operation portion.

(27) A display controlling method including:

detecting contact or proximity of a user to a screen; and

performing a display control based on the detection by the step ofdetecting,

wherein the step of detecting enables only detection in a predeterminedrange on the screen while detecting contact or proximity to an operationportion displayed on the screen, and

wherein the step of performing the display control explicitly indicatesa range corresponding to the predetermined range while detecting contactor proximity to the operation portion in the step of detecting.

(28) A computer program for causing a computer to execute:

detecting contact or proximity of a user to a screen; and

performing a display control based on the detection by the step ofdetecting,

wherein the step of detecting enables only detection in a predeterminedrange on the screen while detecting contact or proximity to an operationportion displayed on the screen, and

wherein the step of performing the display control explicitly indicatesa range corresponding to the predetermined range while detecting contactor proximity to the operation portion in the step of detecting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: circuitry configuredto detect a first contact of a first object to a touch screen over afirst operational portion of a generated image, detect a second contactof a second object to the touch screen over a second operational portionof the image generated on the touch screen, the second operationalportion being different from the first operational portion; expresslydisplay on the touch screen a first indicator that identifies a firstoperational area of the generated image that is operational, in responseto the detection of first contact of the first object to the touchscreen over the first operational portion of the generated image, thefirst indicator not being visible prior to the detection of contact ofthe first object to the touch screen over the first operational portionof the generated image, the first indicator being displayed such that afirst area on the touch screen where the first contact of the firstobject is detected being included within the first operational areaindicated by the first indicator, expressly display on the touch screena second indicator that identifies a second operational area of thegenerated image that is operational, in response to said detecting thesecond contact of the second object to the touch screen over the secondoperational portion of the generated image, the second indicator beingdifferent from the first indicator, the second indicator not beingvisible prior to the detection of contact of the second object to thetouch screen over the second operational portion of the generated image,the second indicator being displayed such that a second area on thetouch screen where the second contact of the second object is detectedbeing included within the second operational area indicated by thesecond indicator, responsive to detection of a first operation of thefirst object to the touch screen over the first operational portion ofthe generated image, the first operation being a first continuousmovement of the first object along the touch screen after the firstcontact without releasing the first object from the touch screen, set afirst value of a first function of a remote apparatus, the first valuecorresponding to a first movement amount of the first continuousmovement, responsive to detection of a second operation of the secondobject to the touch screen over the second operational portion of thegenerated image, the second operation being a second continuous movementof the second object along the touch screen after the second contactwithout releasing the second object from the touch screen, set a secondvalue of a second function of the remote apparatus, the second functionbeing different from the first function, the second value correspondingto a second movement amount of the first continuous movement, detectwhether the first contact of the first object to the touch screen overthe first operational portion of the generated image is released, detectwhether the second contact of the second object to the touch screen overthe second operational portion of the generated image is released, stopthe expressly displaying of the first operational area in response todetecting the first contact of the first object to the touch screen overthe first operational portion of the generated image being released, andstop the expressly displaying of the second operational area in responseto detecting the second contact of the second object to the touch screenover the second operational portion of the generated image beingreleased, wherein the remote apparatus has a camera, the firstoperational area and the second operational area are superimposed on animage captured by the camera of the remote apparatus, and the firstoperational area and the second operational area are displayedsimultaneously in response to detecting the first contact and the secondcontact simultaneously.
 2. The display device according to claim 1,wherein the first object is a user's first finger, and the second objectis the user's second finger.
 3. The display device according to claim 1,wherein the generated image is comprised of a plurality of graphics. 4.The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first indicator ofthe first operational area includes a relative change in brightnessbetween the first operational portion of the generated image and thesecond operational portion of the generated image.
 5. The display deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to disabledetection of contact to the touch screen over the second operationalportion of the generated image while the first object contacts the touchscreen over the first operational portion of the generated image.
 6. Thedisplay device according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configuredto allow operation associated with the first operational portion of thegenerated image while the first object contacts the touch screen overthe first operational portion of the generated image.
 7. The displaydevice according to claim 1, wherein the display device is a hand-heldportable device.
 8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein thedisplay device is part of an information appliance.
 9. A display methodcomprising: detecting, using circuitry, a first contact of a firstobject to a touch screen over a first operational portion of an imagegenerated on the touch screen; detecting, using the circuitry, a secondcontact of a second object to the touch screen over a second operationalportion of the image generated on the touch screen, the secondoperational portion being different from the first operational portion;expressly displaying on the touch screen, using the circuitry, a firstindicator that identifies a first operational area of a generated imagethat is operational, in response to said detecting the first contact ofthe first object to the touch screen over the first operational portionof the generated image, the first indicator not being visible prior tothe detection of contact of the first object to the touch screen overthe first operational portion of the generated image, the firstindicator being displayed such that a first area on the touch screenwhere the first contact of the first object is detected being includedwithin the first operational area indicated by the first indicator;expressly displaying on the touch screen, using the circuitry, a secondindicator that identifies a second operational area of the generatedimage that is operational, in response to said detecting the secondcontact of the second object to the touch screen over the secondoperational portion of the generated image, the second indicator beingdifferent from the first indicator, the second indicator not beingvisible prior to the detection of contact of the second object to thetouch screen over the second operational portion of the generated image,the second indicator being displayed such that a second area on thetouch screen where the second contact of the second object is detectedbeing included within the second operational area indicated by thesecond indicator; responsive to detection of a first operation of thefirst object to the touch screen over the first operational portion ofthe generated image, the first operation being a first continuousmovement of the first object along the touch screen after the firstcontact without releasing the first object from the touch screen,setting, using the circuitry, a first value of a first function of aremote apparatus, the first value corresponding to a first movementamount of the first continuous movement; responsive to detection of asecond operation of the second object to the touch screen over thesecond operational portion of the generated image, the second operationbeing a second continuous movement of the second object along the touchscreen after the second contact without releasing the second object fromthe touch screen, setting, using the circuitry, a second value of asecond function of the remote apparatus, the second function beingdifferent from the first function, the second value corresponding to asecond movement amount of the first continuous movement; detecting,using the circuitry, whether the first contact of the first object tothe touch screen over the first operational portion of the generatedimage is released; detecting, using the circuitry, whether the secondcontact of the second object to the touch screen over the secondoperational portion of the generated image is released; stopping, usingthe circuitry, the expressly displaying of the first operational area inresponse to detecting the first contact of the first object to the touchscreen over the first operational portion of the generated image beingreleased; and stopping, using the circuitry, the expressly displaying ofthe second operational area in response to detecting the second contactof the second object to the touch screen over the second operationalportion of the generated image being released, wherein the remoteapparatus has a camera, the first operational area and the secondoperational area are superimposed on an image captured by the camera ofthe remote apparatus, and the first operational area and the secondoperational area are displayed simultaneously in response to detectingthe first contact and the second contact simultaneously.
 10. The displaymethod according to claim 9, wherein the first indicator of the firstoperational area includes a relative change in brightness between thefirst operational portion of the generated image and the secondoperational portion of the generated image.
 11. The display methodaccording to claim 9, further comprising disabling, using the circuitry,detection of contact to the touch screen over the second operationalportion of the generated image while the first object contacts the touchscreen over the first operational portion of the generated image. 12.The display method according to claim 9, further comprising allowing,using the circuitry, operation associated with the first operationalportion of the generated image while the first object contacts the touchscreen over the first operational portion of the generated image. 13.The display method according to claim 9, wherein the first operationalarea has two axes to set at least two parameters of the first functionof the remote apparatus.
 14. A non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by acomputer, cause the computer to perform a method comprising: detecting afirst contact of a first object to a touch screen over a firstoperational portion of an image generated on the touch screen; detectinga second contact of a second object to the touch screen over a secondoperational portion of the image generated on the touch screen, thesecond operational portion being different from the first operationalportion; expressly displaying on the touch screen a first indicator thatidentifies a first operational area of a generated image that isoperational, in response to said detecting the first contact of thefirst object to the touch screen over the first operational portion ofthe generated image, the first indicator not being visible prior to thedetection of contact of the first object to the touch screen over thefirst operational portion of the generated image, the first indicatorbeing displayed such that a first area on the touch screen where thefirst contact of the first object is detected being included within thefirst operational area indicated by the first indicator; expresslydisplaying on the touch screen a second indicator that identifies asecond operational area of the generated image that is operational, inresponse to said detecting the second contact of the second object tothe touch screen over the second operational portion of the generatedimage, the second indicator being different from the first indicator,the second indicator not being visible prior to the detection of contactof the second object to the touch screen over the second operationalportion of the generated image, the second indicator being displayedsuch that a second area on the touch screen where the second contact ofthe second object is detected being included within the secondoperational area indicated by the second indicator; responsive todetection of a first operation of the first object to the touch screenover the first operational portion of the generated image, the firstoperation being a first continuous movement of the first object alongthe touch screen after the first contact without releasing the firstobject from the touch screen, setting a first value of a first functionof a remote apparatus, the first value corresponding to a first movementamount of the first continuous movement; responsive to detection of asecond operation of the second object to the touch screen over thesecond operational portion of the generated image, the second operationbeing a second continuous movement of the second object along the touchscreen after the second contact without releasing the second object fromthe touch screen, setting a second value of a second function of theremote apparatus, the second function being different from the firstfunction, the second value corresponding to a second movement amount ofthe first continuous movement; detecting whether the first contact ofthe first object to the touch screen over the first operational portionof the generated image is released; detecting whether the second contactof the second object to the touch screen over the second operationalportion of the generated image is released; stopping the expresslydisplaying of the first operational area in response to detecting thefirst contact of the first object to the touch screen over the firstoperational portion of the generated image being released; and stoppingthe expressly displaying of the second operational area in response todetecting the second contact of the second object to the touch screenover the second operational portion of the generated image beingreleased, wherein the remote apparatus has a camera, the firstoperational area and the second operational area are superimposed on animage captured by the camera of the remote apparatus, and the firstoperational area and the second operational area are displayedsimultaneously in response to detecting the first contact and the secondcontact simultaneously.
 15. The method according to claim 14, whereinthe first indicator of the first operational area includes a relativechange in brightness between the first operational portion of thegenerated image and the second operational portion of the generatedimage.
 16. The method according to claim 14, further comprisingdisabling detection of contact to the touch screen over the secondoperational portion of the generated image while the first objectcontacts the touch screen over the first operational portion of thegenerated image.
 17. The method according to claim 14, furthercomprising allowing operation associated with the first operationalportion of the generated image while the first object contacts the touchscreen over the first operational portion of the generated image.